Benson's Heisman hopes absorb crushing setback

Posted: Sunday, October 10, 2004

Jim VertunoThe Associated Press

DALLAS - It was fun to talk about the Heisman Trophy for a while.

It probably won't come up in conversation at Texas again any time soon. The leading rusher in the nation before Saturday's game against No. 2 Oklahoma, Cedric Benson needed big numbers to solidify his position as a serious candidate to become the third Longhorn to win the trophy.

Turns out, he wasn't even the best running back on the field in a 12-0 loss.

Benson had created a stir this season when he said he would rather win the Heisman than beat Oklahoma.

And while he finished with a respectable 92 yards rushing and 33 receiving, he won't be the running back everyone remembers from this game.

Oklahoma freshman Adrian Peterson outclassed Benson with 225 yards in his Red River Rivalry debut. He displayed a blend of power and speed that Benson couldn't match.

"A lot of people put a lot of things on this game, saying this game would make or break the Heisman for me," Benson said. "The season's not over. We'll see how it turns out."

Benson's numbers were far below his 186.5-yard average. His longest run was 22 yards, and he missed getting into the end zone for the first time in 12 games.

Benson has never done much against the Sooners. He got in for only one play as a freshman in 2001 and had totaled just 75 yards in 2002 and 2003. He had considered turning pro after this season but decided to stay for his senior season.

His career numbers will show he has been one of the best in Texas history. He recently moved past Earl Campbell for No. 2 on Texas' career rushing list, and his 4,544 yards rank second only to childhood idol Ricky Williams (6,279). But Benson's legacy will include his winless streak against the Sooners.

"I thought about that a few times" before the game, he said. "I guess that's the way it was meant for me and some other seniors on this team."

Benson didn't get much help.

The No. 5 Longhorns continued to struggle throwing the ball. Vince Young passed for 86 yards and was sacked three times. The Longhorns' leading receiver this season, Tony Jeffery, had just one catch for 4 yards.

With no passing threat, the Sooners had an easy time stacking the line of scrimmage to stop the nation's leading rushing attack.

The Longhorns couldn't even claim a moral victory after last season's 65-13 loss. They kept it close but were shut out for the first time since 1980.

"I never thought we'd get shut out," Benson said. "We were moving the ball at times. We just didn't score."